A quick question for all the axiom/home theatre experts.

I'm looking at the Epic Grand Master 175 system, and I was wondering what if any speakers people would switch in this system, while keeping the price at 1700 CAD. Any comments on the sound difference between Epic Master 175 and Epic Grand Master 175 would also be appreciated.

The wizard gave me m3's, qs4's, vp150 and ep175, compared to m22's, qs8's, vp100 and ep175 in the Epic grand master. price on both was $~1700

System will be used for DVD's, Gaming, TV, and hopefully soon blueray. I don't really listen to music that much.

The room
Basement area is ~14'(east west) x 21' (north south) with 7' ceilings, currently open to the floor joist above. TV will be in a 9'x2'6" alcove in the south edge of the west wall (below the bay window in my living room). Stairs in the middle of the north wall extend 7'6" into the room.

Other equipment
Panasonic TH-50PX80 (720p plasma)
Onkyo TX-SR606

My current 27" tube and DVD player will stay up stairs for the kids.. Taxman is paying for my first real home theatre/home audio system

Thanks in advance.

I think it depends on whether you like the extra clarity and forwardness in your sound like the M22s have or prefer a more laid back sound as the M3s have. As you say it is for HT, gaming, etc. and not much music, I would say the clarity of the M22s would be more beneficial with vocals etc. I have the M22s QS8s and VP100 and it is a stellar sytem for movies and music.

If you can spring for the ep350 subwoofer I would do that for sure.

I agree. I listened to both the 150 and the 350 in a 20x10x8 room and the 175 didn't produce any real rumble even when turned up to almost max.

The EP350 is a very good sub.

Thanks everyone so far!

Based on feedback in this thread, and from the Axiom Audio Expert (Thanks J.C.), I'm leaning toward M3's, VP100, ep350, and 2xQS8's. From the factory outlet this is comfortably in my budget.

I could just fit upgrading the M3's to M22's in my budget.. Are the concepts of forward vs laid back sound something I can start to understand from a description (if so a link would be great), or something I just have to actually hear? Clarity I assume means sounds will be a little more distinct.. easier to pick out individual sounds.

Are the M22's just better than the M3's, or is one targeted more at 2 channel music vs home theater, or do they just sound different?

I have never heard the m22's or the m3's but from what I read around here I think a good sub like the ep350 will work very well with the m22's. You will get the clarity/detail of the m22's and the sub will fill in the bottom end that the m22 has been said to lack.

either way I think you will be very happy.

I find vocals and and higher frequencies are more pronounced(or is it just a truly neutral sound as all frequencies are played evenly..hmmm) on the M22s while the M3s have the bass frequencies slightly more pronounced, this is termed laid back, neither is good nor bad just different qualities to attract different buyers.

You could always go for the M3s and if they do not suit your tastes send them back(on Axioms account, IIRC) for the M22s.

It is something you will be able to hear in a direct comparison to another speaker.

How about this:
Forward / Forwardness

A quality of reproduction which seems to place sound sources closer than they were recorded. Usually the result of a humped midrange, plus a narrow horizontal dispersion pattern from the loudspeaker. The opposite of "Laid-Back."

From here.

Hi Karlman,

Because I do blind listening tests for Axiom, I want to emphasize that the differences between the M3 and the M22 are really nuances. By the way, you're right to get the EP350 v3, which is a terrific subwoofer. I just completed another round of listening tests at Axiom, and the M3s are very close to the M22s. On immediate comparisons, you'll hear a slight difference in the apparent distance and "depth" of, for example, a drum kit and cymbals. With the M22s, there is a little more sense of 3-dimensional space and the cymbals seem a little clearer, but it's not easily heard. I had to switch back and forth repeatedly to isolate these nuances. Both the M22s and M3s are very uncolored (neutral) and pleasing on vocals, almost the equal of the M80 v2 towers (on male and female vocals).

The M22s, because they use three drivers, are able to play slightly louder and handle greater power input. That said, both speakers play cleanly at quite loud to loud levels with a sub.

Regards,

Alan